For the first time in American history, Lady Liberty will be portrayed as a woman of color on United States currency, NBC News reported. In celebration of the U.S. Mint and Treasury’s 225th anniversary, the new $100 coin was unveiled on Thursday featuring Lady Liberty as a black woman.

Since the passage of the Coinage Act in 1792, all coins are required to feature an “impression emblematic of liberty,” in either words or images. Until the new coin designed by Justin Kunz was unveiled, Lady Liberty had always been depicted as a white woman.

The coins will cost $100 each and will be available to the public on April 6.

The price of the coins isn’t mentioned in the press releases. The face value of the coin is $100. The cost, however, will likely be significantly more.

For example, the Walking Liberty 2016 Centennial Gold Coin, which is 1/2 ounce of 24k gold costs – as of this writing (1/14/17) – $840. The new coin is going to be 1 ounce of 24k gold and will likely be more than that.

Gold coins from the mint fluctuate in price due to the fluid price of gold. It would have been nice if the coins had been minted in silver uncirculated and proof versions. Those generally cost around $50-$60 dollars for a “Silver Dollar.” My guess is that these coins won’t be for the average citizen. Too bad…

Correction: There will be coins for “the rest of us.” The Mint’s press release said, “A corresponding series of medals struck in .999 silver, with the same designs featured on the gold coins, will also be available.”

Reblogged this on Vancouver Visions and commented:
Now this is an American first that reminds me again of why I’ve always had a special place in my heart for my southern neighbors. Looks really fine on you folks.